Pensión Arbidel - Ribadesella

The meal was pleasant. There was variety and invention in the cooking (with use of South American accents), and the serving staff were attentive. But there was... read more The meal was pleasant. There was variety and invention in the cooking (with use of South American accents), and the serving staff were attentive. But there was a certain indefinable lack of finesse and precision in the meal. Not quite at the level of a one-star Michelin restaurant.

I chose the Arbidel menu with wine pairing. I earlier for lunch visited Casa Marcial nearby for lunch (which was more than excellent) so maybe not fully fair. H... read more I chose the Arbidel menu with wine pairing. I earlier for lunch visited Casa Marcial nearby for lunch (which was more than excellent) so maybe not fully fair. However based on reviews and based on comparison to Marcial, it was a disappointment. Especially wine paring was a disappointment. Dishes were at most fair but nothing special considering a price value perspective. Service was nice and attentive

We had dinner here in October 2022. The positive things first: We had a pleasant evening, a good bottle of wine and the service was attentive. The food, however... read more We had dinner here in October 2022. The positive things first: We had a pleasant evening, a good bottle of wine and the service was attentive. The food, however, was indifferent and lackluster. The menu reads well but does not live up to its promise. Although the dishes are nicely presented, I felt they were rather bland and lacking a kick. I spent a little more at Ayalga but was more impressed by the level of cooking I experienced there.

We ordered the long menu, it was exciting and very good. We enjoyed the food very much. The service was fantastic! Lovely location, it was quiet and romantic read more We ordered the long menu, it was exciting and very good. We enjoyed the food very much. The service was fantastic! Lovely location, it was quiet and romantic

We were on a driving holiday in Northern Spain staying two nights in Ribadesella.Arbidel was recommended by our hotel and booked for us. First impressions as we... read more We were on a driving holiday in Northern Spain staying two nights in Ribadesella.Arbidel was recommended by our hotel and booked for us. First impressions as we arrived were that it was a classy but cosy restaurant.As in many areas in Northern Spain English is not generally spoken fluently and I’m ashamed to say our Spanish is basic.However the head chef who spoke brilliant English came out to greet us, explained the menu and returned between every course to talk us through the dish. Having had a Michelin star for a number of years it goes without saying that the food was superb. We had the shorter tasting menu with wine pairings, every mouthful was sublime and the wine choices matched.What made it an extraordinary evening was the care we were given and that they provided us with a personal interpretation. The restaurant was pretty busy so this must have had an impact but they were so gracious. Often high end dining can be stuffy and elitist and we could have been left to our own devices but not here! Both the food and staff and the kindness shown have left a lasting impression.A very special placie!!